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Applied Sciences
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Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities
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Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024 | Viewed by 8176

Special Issue Editors

Dr. María Isabel Rodríguez Rojas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urban Planning, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: sustainable urban drainage systems and nature-based solutions; urban planning; integrated water management; flood management; soil sealing; climate change; resilient cities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Montserrat Zamorano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: topics related with Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, sustainable cities and communities (sustainable buildings construction) and responsible consumption and production (waste management according to circular economy principles)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Even though cities occupy only 2% of the Earth's surface, they are home to 55% of world’s population, with forecasts projecting that this figure will rise to 68% by 2050. Greater urbanization has been accompanied by significant pressure on the natural environment, resulting in negative effects, such as increases in energy and resource consumption, temperature, global CO2 emissions, and waste generation, all of which problems are related to the direct effects of climate change. This fact highlights the importance of shifting paradigms to help way cities to operate more sustainably.

The concept of sustainability applied to cities is quite broad and can also be defined by the green city, eco-city, or, more recently, circular city concepts. In any case, an urban environment can be sustainable when social equity, conservation of the natural environment and its resources, economic vitality, and good quality of life are achieved. In fact, in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Members States in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) number 11 has the objective of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

The topics discussed in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the development of green AI in the following application domains:

  • Smart cities;
  • Circular city;
  • Sustainable cities.

Dr. María Isabel Rodríguez Rojas
Dr. Montserrat Zamorano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • circular city
  • climate change
  • cultural heritage
  • inclusion
  • mitigation
  • smart city
  • sustainable city
  • policies and plans

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 3036 KiB  
Article
Practical Approach for Smart and Circular Cities: Chatbots Used in Waste Recycling
by Răzvan Daniel Zota, Ionuț Alexandru Cîmpeanu, Denis Alexandru Dragomir and Mihai Adrian Lungu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 3060; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14073060 - 05 Apr 2024
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Sustainable development, smart waste management, and circular economy principles are paramount to the significant worldwide trend of smart city-related research and projects. The basic hypothesis of our research is that artificial intelligence (AI)-based IT applications have an increasingly important role in the field [...] Read more.
Sustainable development, smart waste management, and circular economy principles are paramount to the significant worldwide trend of smart city-related research and projects. The basic hypothesis of our research is that artificial intelligence (AI)-based IT applications have an increasingly important role in the field of smart cities in terms of issues related to waste management. In our present article, we set out to analyze the characteristics of chatbot applications dedicated to waste recycling in the case of smart cities and propose some innovative ideas to improve the efficiency of such applications. Based on the consultation and analysis of a whole series of chatbot-type applications used to facilitate the recycling activity, we systematically analyze and evaluate five illustrative examples of chatbots employed in the context of material recycling. We provide performance comparisons in a table based on specific relevant criteria. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of these chatbots has led to the idea of improving the performance of this type of application. In this sense, we propose a series of innovative concepts that can be successfully implemented in future chatbots dedicated to the field of the circular economy. Here, we detail the innovative ideas that can promote the circular economy and capitalize on the potential of chatbots in the waste recycling activity. We also identify some possible limitations of these new ideas that we propose to be implemented. As for future research directions, our goal is to develop a chatbot dedicated to improving waste recycling practices within the framework of a smart city. Such innovation holds promise in improving sustainability efforts and fostering environmental stewardship within urban environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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23 pages, 1718 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Public Lighting Environment on Local Residents’ Subjective Assessment
by Nuria Castilla, Vicente Blanca-Giménez, Carlos Pérez-Carramiñana and Carmen Llinares
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031234 - 01 Feb 2024
Viewed by 891
Abstract
Sustainable development and energy savings are crucial to the significant worldwide trend in smart city-related research and projects. In this regard, public lighting systems have great energy-saving potential. Nevertheless, while citizen engagement is a key element of most conceptualisations of smart cities, many [...] Read more.
Sustainable development and energy savings are crucial to the significant worldwide trend in smart city-related research and projects. In this regard, public lighting systems have great energy-saving potential. Nevertheless, while citizen engagement is a key element of most conceptualisations of smart cities, many smart lighting projects and systems fail to take account of the citizen’s viewpoint. Applying a citizen-centric lighting design model, the objective of this study is to examine the affective impressions of local residents of the luminous environments in their areas, taking account of the activities they carry out there. Kansei Engineering is employed to connect luminous design elements with citizens’ affective responses. Lighting environments in 18 urban spaces were evaluated by 310 local residents. The results show that subjective assessments in the evaluation of urban lighting environments can be explained by the following dimensions: Expressive-interesting, Innovative-efficient, Defined-sufficient, Formal-uniform and Glaring. The relationship of these dimensions to urban social activities shows that public lighting should generate, in local residents, sensations consistent with the nature of the activities. Urban lighting must create in the citizen a feeling of innovation (being up-to-date and contemporary) if it is to be seen as energy-saving and caring for the environment. These findings may be valuable for governments, architects, engineers, and lighting designers when developing strategies to ensure their designs are evaluated as being efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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21 pages, 4014 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Thermal Properties of Dry Green Swales to Be Used as Part of Geothermal Energy Systems
by Carlos Rey-Mahía, Felipe P. Álvarez-Rabanal and Luis Á. Sañudo-Fontaneda
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(19), 10644; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131910644 - 25 Sep 2023
Viewed by 707
Abstract
Low-enthalpy geothermal systems are a promising source for renewable and clean energy for heating, cooling, and air conditioning residential buildings, contributing to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Previous research emerged around the geothermal [...] Read more.
Low-enthalpy geothermal systems are a promising source for renewable and clean energy for heating, cooling, and air conditioning residential buildings, contributing to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Previous research emerged around the geothermal utilization of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) as multifunctional surfaces for stormwater control and energy saving, developing the water–energy nexus. However, these studies did not comprehensively considered the energy aspects for SuDS design, using non-standardized tests to measure the main thermal parameters. This research aims to address this gap by proposing a novel hybrid engineering procedure to study the thermal properties of SuDS layers and materials through experimental tests combined with steady-state and transient numerical simulations, using green swales operating under dry and wet conditions as a first case study for SuDS techniques. Novel materials incorporated into dry swales (expanded clay and construction and demolition waste) were tested. The results validated this new methodology, reporting an increase of 87% under dry conditions, and 51% under wet scenarios in the thermal insulation performance in comparison to standard materials. A better thermal performance of the systems can be achieved by approaching SuDS design from a holistic viewpoint that integrates energy aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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21 pages, 13465 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Summer Microclimate Environment of Public Space and Pedestrian Commercial Streets in Regions with Hot Summers and Cold Winters
by Junyou Liu, Haifang Tang, Bohong Zheng and Zhaoqian Sun
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5263; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095263 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1230
Abstract
Pedestrian commercial streets are an important part of a city. However, the open outdoor street is easily affected by the external climate, and a poor microclimate environment can indirectly affect the volume of visitors to the commercial street. This paper takes pedestrian commercial [...] Read more.
Pedestrian commercial streets are an important part of a city. However, the open outdoor street is easily affected by the external climate, and a poor microclimate environment can indirectly affect the volume of visitors to the commercial street. This paper takes pedestrian commercial streets in regions with hot summers and cold winters as the research object in order to obtain reasonable prototypes of street space. Adopting the experimental method of controlling variables, microclimate simulation analysis is conducted on different street flow lines, various locations of open space, and the different greening arrangements of typical street spaces. This paper also proposes design strategies for improving the microclimate environment, such as reserving ventilation passages in the dominant wind direction, setting up air buffer areas to increase the “wind storage” effect, building an open space in the upwind direction to increase the “wind absorption” effect, preventing planar greening space from hindering airflow in streets with poor ventilation, and establishing planar green space in the upwind direction to increase the coverage of the cooling effect of plants. In this paper, comfort in the outdoor microclimate comfort is taken into consideration in commercial street design, aiming to achieve the revitalization of commercial streets through “micro renovation” and provide some reference for the future design of commercial streets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 2298 KiB  
Article
Towards Sustainable Regional Planning: Potential of Commuter Rail in the Madrid Urban Region
by Eloy Solís, Borja Ruiz-Apilánez, Amparo Moyano, Inmaculada Mohíno and José María Coronado
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3953; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063953 - 20 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1361
Abstract
In the extensive framework of the historiography on the relationship between railroads and cities that began in the second half of the 19th century, a new phase of thought and action emerged from the 1980s, driven by a transport-oriented development approach and the [...] Read more.
In the extensive framework of the historiography on the relationship between railroads and cities that began in the second half of the 19th century, a new phase of thought and action emerged from the 1980s, driven by a transport-oriented development approach and the node–place model within the paradigms of New Urbanism and sustainable urbanism, respectively. This highlights the need to integrate railway planning and urban and territorial planning to take advantage of the development potential of the urban areas surrounding railway stations. In this context, a subject rarely analyzed in Spain is the urban areas around commuter railway stations and the opportunity they represent to rethink growth and development on an urban and metropolitan scale. This study explores and shows the roles that municipalities with commuter stations and their surrounding areas play and could play as a basis for leading an urban and territorial strategy based on a polycentric model in favor of more sustainable mobility and development in the Madrid urban region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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Review

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18 pages, 1738 KiB  
Review
i-ISSUES—Industrial-Interoperable Safe and Secure Urban Energy Systems
by Raúl Pastor, Anabel Fraga and José Javier Larrañeta
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 3188; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083188 - 10 Apr 2024
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Urban planners are involved in designing future urban energy systems as a part of their path toward decarbonization or Net Zero targets before 2050. In this process, new energy and information flows between industrial and urban regions should be considered, as well as [...] Read more.
Urban planners are involved in designing future urban energy systems as a part of their path toward decarbonization or Net Zero targets before 2050. In this process, new energy and information flows between industrial and urban regions should be considered, as well as safety and security managerial aspects regarding the existing and new infrastructures. This research aims to help engineering professionals and public planners define new collaboration dynamics to make industrial energy systems safer, more secure, and interoperable, surpassing the existing knowledge. Firstly, several recent R&D aspects are analyzed, demonstrating the organizational gap and providing early integration or knowledge reuse opportunities from R&D projects. After that, the authors present a model called Industrial-Interoperable Safe and Secure Urban Energy Systems (i-ISSUES), a multi-disciplinary approach combining classic urban energy planning, information technology use, safety and security management, and systems engineering as the integrated disciplines. The model detects research trends, providing a first set of readings with some improvements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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25 pages, 3807 KiB  
Review
A Critical Perspective and Inclusive Analysis of Sustainable Road Infrastructure Literature
by Ahmad Alhjouj, Alessandra Bonoli and Montserrat Zamorano
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(24), 12996; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412996 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2185
Abstract
In response to the important environmental impacts produced by the road transport network during all its life cycle stages, a set of measurements to include sustainable principles have been identified between 1997–2021, analysed and mapped by applying SciMAT and VOSviewer. The results have [...] Read more.
In response to the important environmental impacts produced by the road transport network during all its life cycle stages, a set of measurements to include sustainable principles have been identified between 1997–2021, analysed and mapped by applying SciMAT and VOSviewer. The results have shown the predominance of issues which analyse the life cycle assessment of road infrastructures in its both environmental and economic dimension as a way to mitigate their effects on climate change, including the reduction of resources and energy consumption, or of energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions during the construction and operation stages, respectively. However, the incorporation of the social life cycle assessment dimension, their adaptation to climate change, and the use of smart roads are still in an early stage. Therefore, efforts to include these issues are necessary to address their design according to the resilience concept and ensuring a cleaner and more competitive and climate-neutral Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research and Future Development for Sustainable Cities)
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